Nevada County picayune., 1887-09-15
OUT OF THE JAWS OF DEATH.

curtain tassel, and Dr. Reynolds sat ih an easy chair beside the fire, covertly looking at her. Tn varied travels he had seen few women as beautiful. The round, supple form, the regularly carved and exquisite iy tinted face, the perfect grace and air of high breeding, might have pleased a more fastidiOus man than he. But something high. aud better than admiration soften. ed Doctor Reynolds face as he turned away with a soft sigh aud rustled the leaves of his book by the fire light. Royal deserted the window and came softly toward the fire.
 "A year from to-day l hope I shall not be here," she said.
 Again Doctor Reynolds looked up at her. His gaze was a mkt ure of tenderness and sorrow.
 "Do you hope to be happier, ROyalo he sad.
 "Yes, l hope to be-" she answer. ed, kmotting the silken cords of her wrapper, in turn, with those restless fingers of hers.
 Again Doctor Reynolds sighed.
 ''If you have anything to say to me, why don't you say it" she ex. claimed impatiently. #Ur
 "YOu know my wish," he said quietly.
 X sudden color fiickered in her cheek. She glanced at him shyly, from under her long laslles
 ''l would regret no money that wonld keep you of the stage. Roy al."
 The color died in her beautiful face.
 "YOu would pay any price to keep me here in ennui" she eX- claimed. "Why, I shall eat my own heart in year more of this liiew
 His sorrOwful eyes seemed un. bearable to her.
 Its so tame aud spirit less, sEe said; so worse than a thousand cares, with its insanity! l, a wO. man, Ioathe it! How you, a man, can endure it, cannot see"
 II am tired," he answered, sim. ply.
 She paused in her walk. Stand. tug near him, and looking down on his bowed head, she saw very plainly, the streaks of gray in it.. The fire died out Of her face.
 Fl am SO young" she said more gently.
 "Yes,' he answered.
 "Only twenty"
 "Only twenty" he repeated.
 She went back to the window and stood therein silence.
 The landscape was gray and wintry, patches of snow on the frozen ground, and the trees creak' ing and rushing in the wind-the great elms and oaks of Woods. more The warm, quiet room was quite still. The coals burned with out a crackle, her canary had gone to sleep in the dust, and Doctor Reynolds was mute and motion less in his place.
 Her impatient thoughts roved away to the city. She saw in fan cy, lights and glowing colors, and living walls of people. Music gave voice to the scene. Then her soul seemed to steal out of her body and she stood up before the ad. hiring throng, all the slumber'ns fire and romance of her nature VI: talizing and bringing to life some character of olden story that had thrilled her in childhood and was still famous in the memory of men. How the grand words of passion and inspiration rung from her lips! how complete her success-how enthusiastic the plaudits 0f the thrOng.
 ! She started suddenly and walked as from a dream as . servant brought in lights and the evenings mail. No letters for her; no one ever thought of or cared for her now; but next year p 1 Dr. Reynolds read his letters in silence and then took up the oven ing paper. She glanced around; the quiet domestic atmosphere was not congenial. She turned to leave the room. Doctor Reynolds looked up.